Ultralight crash victim ID'd

Musquodoboit Valley man, 60, well-liked in community

The victim's cousin, Craig George, said it had been John George's dream for sometime to become a pilot. (CBC)

The small community of Carrolls Corner, N.S., is in mourning after a small plane crash Sunday.

The pilot of an ultralight plane died after he crashed into a pond during his first flight in his new ultralight plane.

The victim was John George, 60, a husband, father of two daughters and grandfather of four, who was well-known in the Musquodoboit Valley community.

The crash happened just minutes after take-off around 1:45 p.m.

The plane went down on Mike Jodrey's property.

"His daughter came in my yard and told me her father had crashed and she needed help," recounted Jodrey, who rushed to the scene where a neighbour had already arrived.

"He had managed to get the pilot out of the aircraft and I gave him a hand and we pulled him ashore, and I heard sirens and went up to direct the emergency vehicles," said Jodrey.

Despite their efforts, George died on the way to hospital.

Police believe he was trapped for several minutes after crashing into the pond.

The pilot's cousin, Craig George, said flying was a new hobby and something his cousin had dreamed about and planned to do for many years. He recently had done training in Ontario to get his ultralight pilot's licence.

John George also managed the local community centre.

Scott Isenor, who played hockey with him, said some members of the tight-knit community were having a hard time coping with the news.

The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.

An autopsy was performed Monday. Police said they expect to have an exact cause of death later this week.